THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO STORY

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BUD ABBOTT was born on October 2nd 1895. He died on April 24th 1974. His real name: William Alexander Abbott.
LOU COSTELLO was born on March 6th 1906. He died on March 3rd 1959. His real name: Louis Francis Cristillo.

TRIVIA: During the 1940's at the height of their fame Lou Costello demanded more money than Bud Abbott for the films they were making as he felt he was doing the bulk of the work. Abbott was naturally not very happy about this as they had previously split 50/50 but after much discussion with the studio he eventually agreed. However, this did cause some tension between them and their friendship was never the same again. Around this same time Lou Costello approached Universal Studios (who released all their films) and asked that the name of the act be changed to "Costello and Abbott" but this was something the studio would not tolerate!!

"WHO'S ON FIRST BASE".
Bud Abbott: "You know, these days they give ballplayers very peculiar names. Take the St. Louis team - Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third". Lou Costello: "That's what I want to find out. I want you to tell me the names of the fellows on the St. Louis team". A: "I'm telling you. Who's on first. What's on second. I Don't Know is on third". C: "Who's playing first?". A: "Yes". C: "I mean the fellow's name on first base". A: "Who". C: "The fellow playing first base". A: "Who". C: "The guy on first base". A: "Who is on first". C: "Well, what are you asking me for?". A: "I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. Who is on first". C: "I'm asking YOU - who is on first?". A: "That's the man's name". C: "That's who's name?". A: "Yes". C: "Well, go ahead tell me". A: "Who". C: "All I'm trying to find out is, what's the guy's name on first base?". A: "Oh no. What is on second". C: "I'm not asking you who's on second". A: "Who's on first". C: "That's what I'm trying to find out! What's the guy's name on first base?". A: "What's the guy's name on second base". C: "I'm not asking who's on second". A: "Who's on first". C: "I don't know". A: "He's on third, we're not talking about him". C: "Now how did I get on third base?". A: "Why you mentioned his name". C: "If I mentioned the third baseman's name, who did I say is playing third?". A: "No. Who's playing first". C: "What's on first?". A: "What's on second". C: "I don't know". A: "He's on third". C: "There I go, back on third again!".